THE LYCEUM Pirates scored a measly two points in the fourth period but still managed to hack out a 60-55 win over the San Sebastian Stags in the 89th NCAA men’s basketball tournament yesterday at the Arena in San Juan City.
The win by the Pirates snapped their four-game losing streak and improved their record to 3-6 (win-loss) while handing the Stags their fifth loss against just four wins.
Lyceum nearly let this one get away as it went scoreless for the first nine minutes and 45 seconds of the fourth period to almost waste a 27-point advantage.
Lyceum was ahead, 58-33, heading to the game’s final chapter when it suddenly went cold, allowing the Stags to rattle off 22 unanswered points that allowed them to come within three, 55-58.
Fortunately for the Pirates, Andrei Mendoza was able to break away for a transition bucket that sealed the win with just 15.1 seconds left.
Wilson Baltazar paced the winners with 19 points, four rebounds and two assists.
BOX SCORES:
LPU (60) —Baltazar 19, Lacastesantos 12, Taladua 9, Mendoza 6, Mbomiko 4, Alanes 3, Evangelista 2, Ambohot 2, Ko 2, Garcia 1, Soliman 0, Lesmoras 0.
SSCR (55) -— Perez 16, Ortuoste 9, Guinto 8, Dela Cruz 7, Tano 6, De Vera 5, Gusti 2, Trinidad 2, Rebollos 0, Vergara 0, Aquino 0, Magno 0.
Quarterscores: 18-4, 36-21, 58-33, 60-55. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio